January's Report - A Mixed Bag

Long time no post huh? Don't take it as an indication of sliding into the depths of diet hell, only that by the time I get to work on blogging, I just feel like doing nothing or going to bed.

The key word for January's progress is ROUTINE, and I could just not find one. I could never get into any "rhythm" in January if you know what I mean. I would get into something, like walking the baby or the dog regularly, and then the weather would turn frigid or rainy and spoil that.

At the same time though, my teen suddenly decided that he wanted to be in sports and started working out. He cut his hair, joined the football team and track team, and now makes me take him to the gym most nights. I'm still in a state of shock (and glee), but grateful as I now have someone to push me to the gym. My sister-in-law (sil) works out with a trainer at the gym twice a week, she pops over afterwards to watch the baby and allow me to go during the day too. So there really is no excuse for not getting there and working out. Did I mention it is .3 miles away from the house. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.

At the gym I do a little bit of everything right now, trying to get a handle on the machines and their uses.  With each session I do a mile on the treadmill, then a set of upper body weight lifting, then a about a 1/2 mile on the elliptical, about 30-40 minutes total.

Food wise I think I am making progress, but not the progress that I had planned. I am making many changes, like eating more whole foods, but I also became lax about putting them into my FitDay journal, and I have lost track of the calories on many occasions. Still...I never binged once during the month, and while I had a few hungries late at night (like after 9pm), I pretty much kept them in check with little things.

But the little things add up, and the lack of a definitive routine has taken its toll, and I only lost half of the weight I had planned, - 2-1/2 pounds.  There are two ways to look at this loss. A step in the right direction, or opportunity lost. What I mean by that is, you will lose 10 pounds or so of water with most new diet plans in the first two weeks (which is why so many diet books and products claim to give you such a "good start"), but that didn't happen. Still, a loss is a loss, and 2-1/2 pounds does keep me on track to at least get below 200 as the doctor suggested.

January has felt more like that "practice" I was trying to do in December. The train IS leaving the station, but it is a BIG train and it is moving kinda slow right now. I am hoping, no, I know, that the momentum will make February go even more smoothly, as I get the routine down that has eluded me so far.

So to sum up January 07;

+  better food +  no binging +  somewhat regular exercise + weight-loss - not much self discipline or accountability - effort. I am giving this month a C.

Now, if I had to grade my blogging efforts, I would give myself a big fat red F! Hopefully I will do better on that front as well. Like I said, routine, routine, routine...it is the Holy Grail of what I seek.

Comments

[Annie]

I think you are doing well. I find the winter months a hard time to get in to a true healthy groove. I do exercise so much better when it is warm. Plus my luck with getting sick in winter months recently has made staying on track a bit difficult.

[Nathan]

Congrats on STARTING and not giving up after a month. But dude, go to the gym. Seriously, I would LOVE it if my gym were that close, instead I drive 30 mins roudntrip. In addition to being essential,
I find exercise to be the most rewarding and
easily sustainable habit regarding weight loss. Mostly, b/c after you endure it for a few weeks, it makes you FEEL GOOOOOOOOD,
and the endorphine rush and sense of calm and well-being make it worthwhile in and of itself, apart from any other benefits.

[Jenne]

Congrats to your teen for his healthy choices!

Slow and steady progress is still progress. I find that I don't notice the progress day to day or even week to week, but I'm 23 pounds lighter than I was a year and two months ago. I'll take it, considering how many years I had no progress at all! Congrats on your 2.5 pound loss!

[Krista]

I had to laugh about your teenager! While it take us so much effort to change, they change so easily! Glad you have such a positive outlook and are sticking with this program. I just know you will be successful!

[Margaret]

Getting into a routine is just that--it takes time. I think you are doing well by not bingeing, and going to the gym. I give you at least a B, and I'm a teacher!